PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh has come a long way since the days when steel mills spewed dark pollutants into the air -- and now, there's more proof of a turnaround.

The city ranks third behind Portland, Ore., and Seattle in the number of green buildings in the U.S., according to a report by environmental news Web site Grist.org.

Most notable among those green buildings is the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown.

Rebecca Flora, executive director of the nonprofit Green Building Alliance, said the ranking is a big deal.

"This most recent claim is most relevant to our green building leadership, our riverfront trails, and it's well deserved," said Flora. "It's about time Pittsburgh got some recognition for all the great work we're doing in that area."

In order to be deemed a green building, a property must get third-party certification that it meets requirements including reducing waste sent to landfills, conserving energy and water, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and proving to be healthier and safer for occupants.

If a building meets the whole list of requirements, it may receive a LEED certification, which stands for leadership in energy and environmental design.

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